{"id":671129,"date":"2026-01-03T12:17:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T12:17:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/671129\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T12:17:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T12:17:15","slug":"wayne-rooney-says-he-played-with-true-great-at-man-utd-who-worked-harder-than-cristiano-ronaldo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/671129\/","title":{"rendered":"Wayne Rooney says he played with true great at Man Utd who worked harder than Cristiano Ronaldo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wayne Rooney was one of Manchester United\u2019s hardest-working players in the final years of Sir Alex Ferguson\u2019s successful reign as Manchester United manager, but the club\u2019s all-time record scorer now reveals the hardest worker he encountered on the training ground following an illustrious career.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Following a 2004 transfer from Everton that saw Manchester United<\/a> make Wayne Rooney<\/a> the most expensive teenager in English football, the young striker went on to become a loyal club servant who won everything.<\/p>\n

Rooney\u2019s honours at United include five Premier League<\/a> titles, one Champions League<\/a>, one Europa League<\/a>, one FA Cup<\/a>, four League Cups<\/a>, and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2008.<\/p>\n

Which one striker at their peak would you re-sign for Manchester United right now? <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc47 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say <\/p>\n

Although Rooney was responsible for two transfer requests during his 13 seasons at United, he will be remembered not only as a prolific goalscorer but as one of Sir Alex Ferguson\u2019s<\/a> hardest working players.<\/p>\n

Rooney went from playing as a centre forward to central midfield as his career progressed. Even when played up front, \u2018Wazza\u2019 was often seen tracking back into left-back positions, to give his teammates the extra yard in every battle.<\/p>\n

This made Rooney a trusted figure among his peers in the United dressing room, which he shared with true greats such as Ryan Giggs<\/a>, Roy Keane<\/a> and Paul Scholes<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"RyanPhoto by Alex Livesey\/Getty ImagesRyan Giggs a better trainer than Cristiano Ronaldo<\/p>\n

Nowadays, Rooney reflects on his football career as a podcaster, taking a much needed break away from coaching after multiple disappointing jobs in the past.<\/p>\n

When asked to name the best trainer he played with, Rooney was quick to identify Giggs, the most decorated player in English football history.<\/p>\n

Giggs was always a senior player in the dressing room when Rooney was playing for United, so it shows that he was always keen to lead by example, on the pitch.<\/p>\n

Rooney also credits former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo<\/a> for being a top trainer, citing how both players have proven to be successful with incredible longevity throughout their playing careers.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s tough. I have to say Ryan Giggs,\u201d Rooney said on the Smith Brothers<\/a> podcast.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. I just think for that long, you know, obviously everyone\u2019s doing it now, Pilates or yoga and stuff, but he was doing all that just to keep himself fit and playing on obviously Ronaldo as well now he\u2019s doing the same.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I just think for longevity and keeping himself fit because he had his injuries when he was younger as well before I was at United and then from that and then what he what he did, he never pulled out of a training session because he knew if he missed a session or two sessions and it\u2019d be so difficult for him to get back into his rhythm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Will Ryan Giggs ever be overtaken as English football\u2019s most decorated player? <\/p>\n

Ryan Giggs incredible honours list \ud83c\udfc6<\/p>\n